Sauces n' Love is the pesto sauce victor

Pesto sauce made from the recipes of several Italian villages was a favorite of the Taster's Choice panelists. The delicious sauce was manufactured by a company called Sauces n' Love and purchased at a local Sam's Club. However, when we called to verify the price, several store workers said the chain no longer carries the product. Disappointed, we visited the same Sam's Club the next day and found loads of the pesto in the refrigerator. It was worth the trip, according to our panelists. We tried that sauce and the other pestos over plain pasta.

Deep, green and bold. Like a night out at a really good Italian restaurant.

Light green, homemade-looking with flecks of basil.

Large pieces of basil with big hunks of garlic. Good, hearty "Irish" colored.

Judges' comments

Rough and rustic with whole pine nuts. "It's like I'm sitting in the kitchen of Mario Batali," said one panelist who described the sauce as great. "It's like a garden party on your tongue." Another said it was very "real looking" with a good mix of teeny basil leaves and hunks of mellow garlic.

"This has a nice basil flavor with a hint of Parmesan cheese," said one judge. "It's got lots of cheese, nuts, bountiful flavor — nice, nice Napoli," said another.

"I like the rough texture and the robust, assertive flavor," said one panelist who wanted to pair the pesto with broiled salmon. Another judge described the sauce as "festive."

Would they buy?

Four out of four said yes.

Three out of four said yes.

Three out of four said yes.

Shopping information

Not widely available. $7.83 for 15.8 ounces at Sam's Club (also sold through the company's Web site at www.saucesnlove.com).